State Administration for Religious Affairs

The State Administration for Religious Affairs is a functional department under the State Council in charge of religious affairs.

Its major responsibilities are:

To protect the freedom of religious belief of Chinese citizens as required by law, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of religious groups and the venues of their activities, ensure the religious leaders can conduct regular religions activities - and ensure citizens who wish to do so can take part in regular religious activities;

To monitor issues related to religion at home and abroad, and to investigate various religious beliefs;

To draft laws, rules and regulations relating to religion, research and draft departmental rules and regulations, as well as specific policies relating to religion;

To supervise the implementation of laws, rules and regulations relating to religion, offer guidance to religious groups concerning the law and the country’s policies - and prevent and curb illegal, irregular and illegitimate activities under the guise of religion;

To organize and guide promotional activities related to the country’s policy on religion and issues concerning legality;

To support initiatives to promote patriotism, socialism, reunification of the motherland, and solidarity among individuals belonging to religious groups; and unite and motivate citizens with religious beliefs to assist the country’s process of reform and opening up, as well as economic construction;